Re: Blizzaks, 4 or 2?

["I.L. Eberhart" <eberhart@xxxxxxx>]

Tue, 10 Nov 1998 John asked:
>From: JBHashem@domain.elided
>Subject: Blizzaks, 4 or 2?
>
>Hi everyone,
>
>Just a quick question before I get some Blizzaks.  I assume I should get 4
>since I have Traction Control (95 525i), or do some of you find 2 on the rear
>to be sufficient?...John

John with all this Markie stuff cluttering up the digest, I'm not sure if
you received a response to this very important question.
So...
Snow tires are designed to be used in sets of 4 only. Some retailers will
only sell you 4 (maybe more, but not less). The thing is, even though you
only accelerate with the rear tires, it's the combined effect of all four
tires that keep you on the road. Actually, if you were to measure the
actual contact patch of all your tires, the total contact area would just
barely fill an 8" x 11.5" sheet of paper. Kinda scary when ya think about
it (I try not to think about it). Anyway, you wouldn't want the front or
the rear of your car to have more grip, you want it equal.
Consider your car sliding and only the rear wheels have traction, whatdya
think happens, S - P - I - N ! With the power of your 2.5 liter M50 engine,
it's easy enough to put it into a spin, don't give it any help.
Hope this helps.

- - Chip "tryin not to spin" E.

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